NH Orthopaedic Center settles into new facility

By SUSAN CLARKUnion Leader Correspondent

Dr. Douglas M. Goumas checks Celeste Richardson's range of motion due to shoulder pain. Goumas is one of 21 physicians and surgeons at the New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center's new Bedford office at 9 Washington Place, off South River Road. (SUSAN CLARK/Union Leader Correspondent)

BEDFORD — Golfers, tennis players, young athletes and those suffering from mild to serious bone and spinal injuries now have a new facility that provides a full line of treatment from initial consultation to physical therapy in one location.

The physicians, surgeons and assistants at the New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center's new Bedford office treat patients of all ages with broken bones, fractures, trauma, and sports and spinal injuries. The practice specializes in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal diseases, hip and joint replacement, reconstructive surgery as well as non-surgical options.

The Bedford facility, at 9 Washington Place in the Bedford Medical Park on South River Road, opened in November and replaced the New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center offices on Lake Avenue and Kosciuszko Street in Manchester. The Bedford office offers full examinations, diagnostic tests including MRIs, and physical therapy services. The facility is also adjacent to the Bedford Ambulatory Surgical Center for out-patient services, and the physicians are associated with several other surgical centers and hospitals in the area.

The center's goal is to provide a friendly atmosphere so patients can to get familiar with their doctors and the staff, and have easy access to medical records.

"For years, our Manchester patients have received fantastic care in offices that didn't match the quality of that care," said Therrin Allen, executive director. "Now, in our new office, they will enjoy a beautiful, relaxing setting with access to all the services they need."

"Patients with traumatic injuries experience very rapid changes in their lives and need to rely on their medical providers to help them recover," said Blaisdell. "I find it incredibly rewarding to help my patients recover from surgery and get back to their previous activity level as their fractures heal."

Blaisdell is southern New Hampshire's only fellowship-trained trauma surgeon, said Amanda Maselli, director of finance and marketing.

"We're excited because with Blaisdell we now have a service we didn't offer before," she said.

A magna cum laude graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Blaisdell graduated from the Milton S. Hershey/Pennsylvania State College of Medicine. He completed his internship at the University of Washington Department of General Surgery and his residency at the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in Seattle, Wash. He completed a fellowship in orthopaedic trauma at the Florida Orthopaedic Institute in Tampa.

Vailas, who specializes in sports medicine and shoulder and knee reconstruction, is the official physician for the Manchester Monarchs, St. Anselm College and Southern New Hampshire University. The center also has partnerships with the NH Tomahawks lacrosse program and the NH Premier Soccer Academy in Bedford.

The Bedford office joins other centers in Nashua, Manchester, Londonderry, Amherst and Salem that feature 21 physicians and surgeons, and a team of physician assistants and MRI technicians.

"It's all about quality, low-cost service and being able to get excellent care in your community, and it takes that layer out of going to a third-party provider," said Maselli. "We're lower cost than hospitals, and that's a big deal with high deductibles. We try to provide the best service for your dollar."

For more information about the Bedford office, call 669-5454, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit nhoc.com.